Perhaps, and barring any Nuclear tactics as you said. Even though they may try to build a Carrier at breakneck speed, if it was during time of
war...we'd know about it most likely. Assuredly, the facility that was constructing said carrier would be obliterated.

absolutely right a carriers only role in an invasion of taiwan /formosa is as a feint to draw away defenders to another local they are close enough
that ground based air support would be all that was needed. this is to shake yhere dick so to speak or to project force like was said to protect there
shipping from african resources.

You got it right. USA to China is like the Soviets were to the USA, they just wouldn't be able to spend themselves out of a cold war this time. USA
basically bankrupted the Soviets, China would do the same to the USA in a heartbeat.

Blue water navies are about projection of power and protection of your national commerce. I thought it funny that their "training" carrier is only
old in the way that is was a hull with no engines or electronics. This carrier will be more state of the art than many of the other Western powers are
fielding now.

But are they stopping there? No, the lowest estimates I have seen are six and the highest is 11. And you will notice by the previous list someone
posted of our carriers that some of their platforms were built in the late 60's through 70's. So competitive? well certainly. You have to think of
tomorrow or you will be left in the dust of the past.

It is interesting that everyone centers on right now. China has a long range view. They are patient and their stated goal is to be the next
superpower. I spoke with an Air Force officer on this back in 1998 when I told him that China's arms manufacturing plants had ramped up to 24 hour
production for the first time in history and their plans for the future. He started laughing and said 'China? My God, they still have horse calvary
and bugles!"

I replied by telling him the potential for their economy that Most Favored Nation Trade Status could do for them as far as economic growth. Not to
mention a military that to a large part, grew their own food, made their own uniforms and sold munitions at a profit. (polytech owned by the Chinese
military and norinco gets an honorable mention as state owned, though main supplier of the Chinese military.)

Now, we are seeing, in just a little over ten years, a massive economic windfall for the Chinese, massively invested in their military and
infrastructure. They are using enough concrete to build a city the size of Dallas every 12 months. and yet, we have people that point out that the
U.S. has an economy three times what theirs is, they are heavily invested in us, etc.

But they should be asking, where is our economy and theirs headed tomorrow. What has ours done on ten years versus theirs and what are our military
plans versus theirs. Now, I am not against free market economy and I am not being alarmist, I am just pointing out that many people are either not
asking the right questions or holding onto the comforting teddy bear of childhood. I have read their military scenarios involving the U.S. and they
definitely see us as the ones they will face off with.

And as I have pointed out these things about China way before it was cool, I will add the arguments of yesterday that no one is bringing up anymore.
Analysist were telling me that they did not have the technology. I bought up to them that we launch ICBM's with less computing power than a gaming
system,....which they manufacture. They employ ex employees of NASA, motorola, etc. to launch satellites and start their space program. If you can hit
the moon, you can hit most anywhere else on the planet. I was told that their equipment was basic and out of date. I pointed out that their spies have
stolen hard drives with the plans for every one of our ICBM's and to include our most super quiet submarine props. I was told they did not have the
infrastructure to manufacture these items and I said,..."yet."

Now, here we are ten years later. They have used our stolen tech to actually improve on design specs. Why not, they did not have to invest time and
expense into research. No one tells me they don't have the infrastructure anymore. Gone are the days of horse calvary. They currently purchase more
cars a year from GM than American's do. And believe me, I would love the Chinese people to experience everything an advanced society would give them,
but the stated quotes from the military and political arms should scare the bejezus out of anyone.

Maybe America's time as an empire is over. Lord knows we have enough people wanting that, but I would be careful of who you would put in our place.
We pretty much let you say what you want and we don't run our protesting students over with tanks.

Now, we are seeing, in just a little over ten years, a massive economic windfall for the Chinese, massively invested in their military and
infrastructure. They are using enough concrete to build a city the size of Dallas every 12 months. and yet, we have people that point out that the
U.S. has an economy three times what theirs is, they are heavily invested in us, etc.

Excellent point.
The Chinese also have a monopoly on rare Earth metals that could have an inverse effect on our military capabilities.
The other thing that I wonder about is what effects have things like the Opium Wars and Japanese occupation had on the collective Chinese psyche?
It's like the guy who you used to pick on in high school has been working out and is now a black belt, shows up at the high school reunion and kicks
your a$$.

china may be trying to get there first carrier but guess what we have had them for years and years anyone who thinks china could actually take the
united states in a war is sorely mistaken due to the fact they may have a bigger army but invade us and it will be like veitnam was for us guerilla
fighting every step of the way

OK. Watch it will be copied and a cheaper version would be made available to rogue and poor nations who cannot afford the real thing. In addition,
they will violate tonnes of patents and copy right infringement. This is a typical Chinese move. They have the ability to purchase and reverse
engineer but just not the ability to perform serious R&D and spend money on R&D.

Agree. I'm sure not just US but others are noticing as well. Especially every country bordered (land or sea) to china. Surely there is a power
vacuum in the Asian subcontinent. China definitely is attempting to expand their military industrial complex and to fill the military power vacuum in
the region. In the process, it might also decide to demonstrate and validate its power and presence by invading countries such as Taiwan and annex
the Tibetan and Kashmir Region from both India and Pakistan.

we think alike, i too think China is planning on taking on a land/country where ground forces could not go, but by sea only, is this why they
are building up there navy?? at this point it is speculation no hard facts, as of yet.

At this point it is a strong speculation based on the chess moves. There are few hard facts if we look at its historical conflicts and attempts with
other nations in the world. I would worry about china's intentions since Taiwan was part of China before 1900. Surely the political party in Taiwan
is stronger then it was years ago. However due to recent recession and the eocnomic ties with China, it is tough to say from the taiwanese point of
view. But the way they're purchasing the weapons from us (US) doesnt show the sign of them joining their hands with Mainland China. This might be
another chess move by China in the form of Intimidation to possibly convince Taiwan to eventually be back under the communist umbrella?

However I dont like the movements of the Chinese in Tibet, Pakistan and Sri-lanka which gives me the doubts that China indeed is keeping things ready
for the ultimate war whenever that takes place. If the pieces of the puzzle are in place, it will simply play its chess moves and attain what it has
been trying for years (claim to Arunachal Pradesh in India, TIBET, LOC in Kashmir and annex the taiwanese island into communist china). Surely the
signs definitely point to a military takeover down the road.

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